Company News – Foodservice Equipment Reports Magazine

Star Holdings Group Rebrands

FER Edit — Tue, 12 May 2026 16:52:27 +0000

Just ahead of the National Restaurant Association Show, where it will exhibit four new products, Middleby brand Star Holdings Group announced another new aspect of its business. The company will now do business as Star Brands. A press release says Star Brands is “an inspired reimagination of the company, marked by a new commitment to product innovation and setting a new standard in customer…

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Zink Adds Detroit Culinary Center to Lineup

FER Edit — Fri, 08 May 2026 16:41:12 +0000

Manufacturers’ rep firm Zink Foodservice has opened a culinary center in Plymouth, Mich., outside of Detroit. The center, in partnership with food sales agency Affinity, will offer hands-on demonstrations and trainings for operators, dealers and manufacturer partners across the Michigan market and the surrounding region. The new center marks one of 10 Zink locations, which also include the…

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LTI Appoints Rep Group in California, Nevada

FER Edit — Tue, 05 May 2026 18:58:04 +0000

EMC Hospitality will now represent LTI’s products across Northern California and Nevada, excluding Clark County. EMC, formed in 2021 through a merger, operates a showroom and test kitchen in Emeryville, Calif. Its team has more than 50 years of industry experience. “We are excited to partner with EMC Hospitality who shares our commitment to customer success,” says Alicia Bowen…

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Huey Magoo’s Launches Condensed Drive-Thru Prototype

FER Edit — Mon, 04 May 2026 20:41:43 +0000

Huey Magoo’s, a fast-casual, chicken-focused chain, has introduced a freestanding drive-thru prototype that lowers build costs and increases site flexibility when compared with its traditional design. The prototype measures about 1,850 square feet, plus an outdoor cooler. At 40-feet wide by 50-feet deep, it fits typical half-acre parcels and includes seating for 37 inside and 18 outside…

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PCR (PRIDE Centric Resources) To Withdraw From Alignity Group

FER Edit — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:51:24 +0000

Effective Dec. 31, 2026, PCR (PRIDE Centric Resources) will withdraw from Alignity Group. Additionally, members Greg Ebel (formerly CEO and president) and Cara Schlarb (formerly vice president of vendor strategy) have stepped down from their Alignity officer roles. The move reinforces PCR’s focus on “accelerating its independent transformative growth strategy and continued investment in…

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Scooter’s Coffee Announces Southeast Growth

FER Edit — Fri, 01 May 2026 19:37:42 +0000

Omaha, Neb.-based Scooter’s Coffee is raising a cup to one of its largest multiunit development agreements yet. Announced April 30, the agreement with Boddie-Noell Enterprises totals 31 units spanning key markets in North Carolina and Virginia. Rocky Mount, N.C.-based Boddie-Noell also operates 317 Hardee’s units across four U.S. states. Currently, there are 14 locally owned and operated…

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16 Handles Adds First 8 Units in California

FER Edit — Fri, 01 May 2026 14:23:43 +0000

New York-based 16 Handles has signed deals that will bring its first eight units to California. Two units each will open in South Orange County, San Fernando Valley, North San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area. Franchisees the Karthiks, based in the Bay Area, say, “What drew us to 16 Handles was the strength of its self-serve frozen yogurt model, perfect for a market like the SF Bay Area…

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Dirty Soda Chain Swig Inks 25-Unit Deal

FER Edit — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:47:01 +0000

Swig has signed a multiunit franchise agreement with experienced franchisee James Laskaris, his brother Spiro Laskaris and business partner Stephen Attard to expand across Southern Florida. The 25-unit deal accelerate Swig’s growth in Florida, with new units planned for areas including Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach and Stuart. Laskaris has decades of restaurant experience, having grown up working…

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Compass Group Adds Food Waste Reduction Technology

FER Edit — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:55:59 +0000

Compass Group North America has announced a partnership with a waste prevention technology company. Beginning in 2027, Compass will launch a system that reduces the physical volume of food waste on-site by up to 80%, lowering hauling frequency and operational costs. The system turns food scraps into a reusable, nutrient-rich output that supports circular solutions such as composting and animal…

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Stoner’s Pizza Joint Enters Kansas, Tennessee

FER Edit — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:00:50 +0000

Stoner’s Pizza Joint announced plans to open four new locations, marking its entry into Kansas and Tennessee and expanding its national footprint to more than 60 locations. The newly opened or soon-to-open locations are in Wichita, Kan., and Chattanooga, Tenn., plus Hinesville and Roswell, Ga. “Expanding into Kansas and Tennessee is an important milestone as we continue building a national…

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